Serious NOOB... - Drifting forum

Sleeperdad · 04-05-2008, 17:02

Hiyo! Greetings from the great white north! *Canada*
Brand new to the forums and technical aspects of drifting.
*read: I've watched plenty of videos...

*

So that being said, I know next to nothing about how to build a proper drift machine.

Here's the setting: I currently have a 1985 RX-7 body/chassis in storage, as well as a 4.3lt Vortec V6 out a '96 s10 (180-90 hp / 250ish tq) to swap into it.
1st gen rear end comes w/ an LSD and I've read it's good to around 4-500 hp. The Rex has a nearly 50/50 weight ratio even with the swap, though I'm not sure if that's a good thing in drifting...

Just wanted to know what everyone thinks about this setup and if it will work decent to learn on.

Let me know what you all think!!

Adam

Sleeperdad · 05-05-2008, 00:32

20+ views and no replies? Are the odds of this setup working really that bad?

lozza · 05-05-2008, 09:39

Well i will say hello and welcome to dw

although i dont know about your question, it sounds good on paper

rear wheel drive, front engined... just skid it

royal · 05-05-2008, 09:59

Hello!

I'd imagine the setup will be a bit tricky to learn in but will do the job and should give you some skills if you can master it. The equal weight distribution and short wheel base means you'll end up spinning a lot more than with other drifty cars like the average nissan. As you are learning you'll be flapping at the controls and probably get a lot of lift-off oversteer which will make you spin because you wont be expecting/understanding it at first. Should be an excellent car when you get the hang of it though as its very controllable if you can be subtle enough with the driving inputs.

Sleeperdad · 05-05-2008, 23:29

Thanks for the welcome lozza and royal! Good to hear it'll work with practice. I've got a lot to learn, lol. I just got a copy of the "Drift Bible" and I'm speechless... He's (can't spell his name, lol) phenomonal.

Thanks for both of inputs!

As lozza said Just skid it!

Sleeperdad · 08-05-2008, 01:49

Anybody else... feel free to comment, good or bad! I'm putting the engine in the car mid July this year so I can get it out of storage either way... (<- useless info... probably, lol)

Bolf · 08-05-2008, 02:16

Personally , i'd probably try something simple for a 1st drift car.

Sell the shell and lump , and then buy something more suitable and reliable.

Just my 2 cents worth , sounds like a lot of work for something with little power..

Even sell the engine and stick a rotary back in would be less hassle , maybe look for a accident damaged FD?

MrNick · 08-05-2008, 06:51

you want to drift a car and learn to drift .......OR you want to build a hybrid car and learn in it ..? are to different angles,and welcome to DW

docwra · 08-05-2008, 11:56

Id go with what Bolf is saying - learn how to drift in a 240SX or something and and then once you have the skills maybe consider the Rex

In honesty, for a 4.3 V6 those figures are pretty weak - Ive always said that minimum 250bhp is ideal for drifting anything bigger than an AE86

skylineslider · 08-05-2008, 11:59

is the vortec v6 engine still standard? they arent the most responsive engine around

Mad Cas · 08-05-2008, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by docwra

Id go with what Bolf is saying - learn how to drift in a 240SX or something and and then once you have the skills maybe consider the Rex

In honesty, for a 4.3 V6 those figures are pretty weak - Ive always said that minimum 250bhp is ideal for drifting anything bigger than an AE86

250bhp? is that with running slicks?

The V6 sounds pretty weak, unless you can do plenty tuning to it easily and cheaply. Probably not worth the work to get it in the car.

Is it first gen as in SA22C? with the 12A carb fed rotary? if so I dont think the back axles came with LSD (not in this country anyways they are hella rare with LSD and are 99% open diffs) and I very much doubt that they would take 4-500 bhp, its a simple live rear axle not that much bigger then an AE86 axle.

docwra · 08-05-2008, 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Cas

250bhp? is that with running slicks?

I said "IDEALLY" you blind arse. Im fully aware you can drift with less ........... same as you can climb a mountain in high heels if you know what I mean

Bolf · 08-05-2008, 15:57

Plus from what my friend in Canada says the police don't respond well to heavily modified cars , is that right?

cefiro_drifta · 08-05-2008, 17:02

50/50 is good but will be tricky as i would imagine it to have lots of grip and that means lots of speed which is wat you need but could be a bit tricky when u learning ..

engine sounds weak ish , bhp isnt a huge factor in drifting and the torque figure you quoted should be suffeciant enough... thought about putting a 13b engine or even an sr20 in to it ???

and as its said above , maybe look at getting a beaten up 240sx or a cheap series 3/4 rx and learn in that so u not to scared of smashing ing to kerbs, tyre walls etc etc ... good thing about getting a beaten up RX7 is u will learn the handling characteristics and then when your project car is done it wont be quite so much of a shock

Sleeperdad · 09-05-2008, 04:16

Wow, thanks for everyones input! Sooo I'm feeling a lack of love for this setup, is that because it's not the "classic" setup?

Nah just buggin! I totally agree with everyone on the fact that this isn't the "best" or even a "great" setup but it's all I have and it's free which is unfortunately the major factor.

As for LSD, the '85 GSL-SE model did indeed (North American version??) come with a stock LSD and from what I've read (Note: read) there's plenty of 1st gen drag cars that run the stock rear axle and LSD in both the rotary and piston converted rex's quite well.

As for swappability, I've got a kit already and there's plenty of support and not many modifications required to drop it in. The engine itself is heavily supported by aftermarket and far more within my level of knowledge and skill than a rotary engine. Lastly, even with the swap it's a pretty decent weight at less 3000 lbs with driver and gas included.

Lastly, frick the police! lol, nah I have an 07' Mitsu Galant Ralliart as my daily and the rex will be track use only.

Anyways, now I probably sound like a dink or maybe I'm just trying to make myself feel better about my setup, rofl! But I seriously do appreciate the responses and would love to hear any and all other thoughts!!

04-05-2008, 17:02	#1 (permalink)
Sleeperdad gripper Join Date: May 2008 Location: AB, Canada Posts: 5	Serious NOOB... Hiyo! Greetings from the great white north! Canada Brand new to the forums and technical aspects of drifting. read: I've watched plenty of videos... So that being said, I know next to nothing about how to build a proper drift machine. Here's the setting: I currently have a 1985 RX-7 body/chassis in storage, as well as a 4.3lt Vortec V6 out a '96 s10 (180-90 hp / 250ish tq) to swap into it. 1st gen rear end comes w/ an LSD and I've read it's good to around 4-500 hp. The Rex has a nearly 50/50 weight ratio even with the swap, though I'm not sure if that's a good thing in drifting... Just wanted to know what everyone thinks about this setup and if it will work decent to learn on. Let me know what you all think!! Adam

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05-05-2008, 00:32	#2 (permalink)
Sleeperdad gripper Join Date: May 2008 Location: AB, Canada Posts: 5	20+ views and no replies? Are the odds of this setup working really that bad?

05-05-2008, 09:39	#3 (permalink)
lozza ChickFoot FTW Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wyton, Cambs Posts: 4,414	Well i will say hello and welcome to dw although i dont know about your question, it sounds good on paper rear wheel drive, front engined... just skid it

05-05-2008, 09:59	#4 (permalink)
royal S1- F.T break! Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,192	Hello! I'd imagine the setup will be a bit tricky to learn in but will do the job and should give you some skills if you can master it. The equal weight distribution and short wheel base means you'll end up spinning a lot more than with other drifty cars like the average nissan. As you are learning you'll be flapping at the controls and probably get a lot of lift-off oversteer which will make you spin because you wont be expecting/understanding it at first. Should be an excellent car when you get the hang of it though as its very controllable if you can be subtle enough with the driving inputs.

05-05-2008, 23:29	#5 (permalink)
Sleeperdad gripper Join Date: May 2008 Location: AB, Canada Posts: 5	Thanks for the welcome lozza and royal! Good to hear it'll work with practice. I've got a lot to learn, lol. I just got a copy of the "Drift Bible" and I'm speechless... He's (can't spell his name, lol) phenomonal. Thanks for both of inputs! As lozza said Just skid it!

08-05-2008, 01:49	#6 (permalink)
Sleeperdad gripper Join Date: May 2008 Location: AB, Canada Posts: 5	Anybody else... feel free to comment, good or bad! I'm putting the engine in the car mid July this year so I can get it out of storage either way... (<- useless info... probably, lol)

08-05-2008, 02:16	#7 (permalink)
Bolf www.manfoot.in Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Home: Manchester / Work: All over the UK Posts: 1,765	Personally , i'd probably try something simple for a 1st drift car. Sell the shell and lump , and then buy something more suitable and reliable. Just my 2 cents worth , sounds like a lot of work for something with little power.. Even sell the engine and stick a rotary back in would be less hassle , maybe look for a accident damaged FD?

08-05-2008, 06:51	#8 (permalink)
MrNick dorifto kingu! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: essex Posts: 3,544	you want to drift a car and learn to drift .......OR you want to build a hybrid car and learn in it ..? are to different angles,and welcome to DW

08-05-2008, 11:56	#9 (permalink)
docwra dorifto kingu! Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 2,487	Id go with what Bolf is saying - learn how to drift in a 240SX or something and and then once you have the skills maybe consider the Rex In honesty, for a 4.3 V6 those figures are pretty weak - Ive always said that minimum 250bhp is ideal for drifting anything bigger than an AE86

08-05-2008, 11:59	#10 (permalink)
skylineslider tail slider Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: swansea Posts: 127	is the vortec v6 engine still standard? they arent the most responsive engine around

08-05-2008, 15:57	#13 (permalink)
Bolf www.manfoot.in Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Home: Manchester / Work: All over the UK Posts: 1,765	Plus from what my friend in Canada says the police don't respond well to heavily modified cars , is that right?

08-05-2008, 17:02	#14 (permalink)
cefiro_drifta mad pointing munkey Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: surrey Posts: 11,578	50/50 is good but will be tricky as i would imagine it to have lots of grip and that means lots of speed which is wat you need but could be a bit tricky when u learning .. engine sounds weak ish , bhp isnt a huge factor in drifting and the torque figure you quoted should be suffeciant enough... thought about putting a 13b engine or even an sr20 in to it ??? and as its said above , maybe look at getting a beaten up 240sx or a cheap series 3/4 rx and learn in that so u not to scared of smashing ing to kerbs, tyre walls etc etc ... good thing about getting a beaten up RX7 is u will learn the handling characteristics and then when your project car is done it wont be quite so much of a shock

09-05-2008, 04:16	#15 (permalink)
Sleeperdad gripper Join Date: May 2008 Location: AB, Canada Posts: 5	Wow, thanks for everyones input! Sooo I'm feeling a lack of love for this setup, is that because it's not the "classic" setup? Nah just buggin! I totally agree with everyone on the fact that this isn't the "best" or even a "great" setup but it's all I have and it's free which is unfortunately the major factor. As for LSD, the '85 GSL-SE model did indeed (North American version??) come with a stock LSD and from what I've read (Note: read) there's plenty of 1st gen drag cars that run the stock rear axle and LSD in both the rotary and piston converted rex's quite well. As for swappability, I've got a kit already and there's plenty of support and not many modifications required to drop it in. The engine itself is heavily supported by aftermarket and far more within my level of knowledge and skill than a rotary engine. Lastly, even with the swap it's a pretty decent weight at less 3000 lbs with driver and gas included. Lastly, frick the police! lol, nah I have an 07' Mitsu Galant Ralliart as my daily and the rex will be track use only. Anyways, now I probably sound like a dink or maybe I'm just trying to make myself feel better about my setup, rofl! But I seriously do appreciate the responses and would love to hear any and all other thoughts!!